Long Beach Municipal Code tit. 21, ch. 21.43 — FENCES AND GARDEN WALLS | Long Beach Municipal Code (Supp. No. 52: codified through Ordinance No. ORD-26-0022, enacted August 18, 2026) — City of Long Beach

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.43.010 Permitted.

21.43.010 - Permitted. Fences and garden walls are permitted accessory structures in all zones, subject to the conditions and requirements set forth in this Chapter. (Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.43.020 Height limits.

21.43.020 - Height limits. Fence and garden wall heights shall not exceed the maximum heights set forth in Table 43-1. Fence heights shall be measured from grade adjoining the fence on the public right-of-way side of the fence (for fences adjoining the public right-of-way) and the average grade of both sides of the fence (for fences between two (2) private properties). For fences in flood hazard zones where the Building Code requires the finish floor of a building to be constructed at or above the top of the flood plain, fence height shall be measured from the top of the flood plain. (ORD-19-0028 § 24, 2019; Ord. C-7247 § 24, 1994; Ord. C-7127 § 6, 1993: Ord. C-6933 §§ 35, 36, 1991; Ord. C-6684 § 36, 1990; Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.43.030 Prohibited fence and wall materials.

21.43.030 - Prohibited fence and wall materials. Barbed wire or similar fencing with sharp, protruding objects capable of cutting or puncturing a person is prohibited, except in the IM, IG, and IP Zones when located atop a fence more than six feet (6′) in height. In all other zones, such objects shall not be attached to, imbedded in, or laid upon any fence or wall. This restriction does not include decorative wrought iron. Table 43-1 Fence and Garden Wall Height Limits Zone Districts | Maximum Permitted Height(a) 1. Residential -Front yard | 3 ft. (b), (f) -Other yard area | 6 ft. 6 in. -Outside of required yard area | 10 ft. -Abutting a nonresidential district or use | 8 ft. -Abutting an alley, flood control channel, or other public right-of-way other than a street | 8 ft. (c) -Abutting a major arterial/regional corridor | 8 ft. (d) 2. Commercial and industrial -Within required street frontage setback | 3 ft. (e) -Abutting residential front yard | 3 ft. -Abutting residential side or rear yard | 8 ft. -Other yard | 12 ft. 3. Institutional -Front yard | 3 ft. -Other yard | 8 ft. 4. Park -Within ten foot (10′) yard area abutting a public street | 6 ft. (g) -Other yard | 12 ft. (g) 5. Public right-of-way | As determined by the City Engineer 6. All zones—corner cutoff area | 3 ft. (a) The limitations shall not apply in the following instances: i) Where a greater height is required by any other City ordinance; or ii) Where a greater height is required by a conditional approval of a permit pursuant to this Title or is required by State or Federal law; or iii) Where a wall return of greater height is allowed; iv) In corner cutoff areas, chain link and wrought iron/metal tubing fences more than three feet (3′) in height are allowed if they do not obstruct visibility. (b) In the area designated as the special fence height area, as designated by resolution of City Council, the fence height in the front yard setback shall be increased to four feet (4′), provided the additional foot of height is wrought iron or chain link. (c) Only applicable for rear and side lines that abut an alley or other public right-of-way other than a street, or a flood control channel. (d) Only applicable for 1) a rear property line that abuts a regional corridor, boulevard, or major avenue as designated in the Mobility Element of the General Plan, and 2) side property line(s) of a reverse corner lot abutting a regional corridor, boulevard, or major avenue, and in a continuous formation with the rear property lines of the remainder of the block facing said right-of-way. (e) Industrially zoned properties may construct a twelve foot (12′) high wrought iron/metal tubing fence within the required street frontage setback area. (f) Fence height may exceed three feet (3′) in the front yard of residential lots located in high crime areas, through approval of an administrative use permit. (See Section 21.52.231.5 for criteria.) (g) Wrought iron fences that exceed these height limits may be approved pursuant to site plan review for a development project, Section 21.25.508. (Ord. C-7360 § 11, 1995: Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988) (ORD-19-0028 § 25, 2019; Ord. C-7607 §§ 13, 16, 1999; Ord. C-7378 § 18, 1995)